Youth Appreciation

WANTED: GENEROUS DONORS TO HONOR OUR OUTSTANDING TEENSI hate to brag, but… Whenever I mention to rabbinic colleagues that wehave 14 teen madrichim, that our high school program is burgeoning,and that our teens regularly lead services, read Torah, tutor Hebrew,help out in our temple garden, and even maintain our Torah scrolls bysewing and cleaning, they are amazed at the vibrancy of Jewish life inHarford County for our teens.

We have new and improved criteria to qualify for the YouthAppreciation Fund. This fund honors our teens who contribute to thelife of our Temple community throughout their post B’nai Mitzvahyears, from grades 8-12. The criteria include choices for providingservice to the community, demonstrating leadership in the synagogueand actively participating in our religious services.

I would love to honor all who fulfill this program with a scholarshipcheck as they go off to college! But I need your help. Please consider adonation to the YOUTH APPRECIATION FUND. What a great way toexpress gratitude for a simcha, to memorialize a loved one, or to wishHappy Birthday to your favorite teen (maybe a grandchild or niece ornephew). Make out your check to Harford Jewish Center, with a note inthe memo to direct it to the Youth Appreciation Fund. Todah Rabbah,Rabbi Gila Ruskin.

YOUTH APPRECIATION AWARD

To be eligible for the Youth Appreciation Award, students in grades 8 through 12 will be involved in Tefillah (Prayer), Kehillah (Congregation) and Tikkun Olam (Social Justice) in the way that is best suited to their talents and their interests – ONE FROM EACH CATEGORY EACH YEAR.

We are also open to creative ideas that students might have in any of the three categories. Anything not included in the table requires the Rabbi’s approval.

All students must be enrolled in Religious School through grade 10 and participate in all Confirmation activities.

Category 1

TEFILLAH

Category 2

KEHILLAH

Category 3

TIKKUN OLAM

Serve as a Teen Mentor to B’nai Mitzvah students

ASTY or NFTY-MAR officer or program chair

Community Service hours already completed for middle school or high school requirement, with the identification of the Jewish value it represents

Read Torah or Lead Services three times during the year.

Madrich for Sunday with regular attendance. Madrich for midweek with regular attendance.